ANEM ALARM: The Prosecutor's Office must urgently investigate the threats directed at the editorial office of "Slobodna reč."

Let us remind you that the members of this Vranje editorial team received a direct threat of physical violence, which has been reported to the relevant institutions. In a comment on Facebook, under the article titled “Announcement of the ‘Pride’ Caravan in Vranje Exposed Extreme Homophobia,” a user with the profile name Slađan Ristić stated, among other things, that the authors of the post and the article “will get beaten” and added, “I promise you that.”

This message, which represents a direct threat of violence against the editorial team and hate speech in the public space, has been reported to the Prosecutor's Office for High-Tech Crime.

ANEM reminds that journalists from local media have increasingly been targeted by various pressures, threats, and attacks lately, which aim to silence local voices advocating for objective, professional journalism in the public interest.

This atmosphere, especially in smaller communities, directly jeopardizes media freedom and freedom of expression, as well as the right of all citizens to timely and quality information, which is already at a very low level in Serbia.

“As the announced elections in Serbia approach, repression against critical and professional media is intensifying, particularly targeting representatives of local media outlets that enjoy trust within their communities. In addition to threats, we have cases of local journalists being targeted in national media, and incendiary and dangerous rhetoric has begun to spread through newly established local media that have been taken over this year by pro-regime outlets known for their disregard for any professional and ethical standards. It is evident that this is part of an organized campaign at all levels against anyone who dares to say or write something that displeases the ruling structures and their satellites,” stated Veran Matić, President of the ANEM Board of Directors, member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists, and coordinator of the Safe Line for Journalists at 0800 100 115.

ANEM also appeals to all journalists and media representatives to regularly report any threats to their safety while performing their work, as such incidents must be documented and counted in order to draw the attention of both domestic and international public to the pressures that media in Serbia increasingly face.

All journalists have access to a free phone number and direct line from ANEM at 0800 100 115, where media representatives can obtain explanations about the legal treatment of offenses and the procedures that need to be initiated in order to report threats to safety to the relevant institutions, police, and prosecutor’s office.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

The project “Improving the System of Prevention and Response Mechanisms in Cases of Threats to the Safety and Life of Journalists in Serbia” is being implemented by ANEM in partnership with Insajder TV and the Center for the Development of Local Media, with the support of the European Union.

The OSCE Mission in Serbia has supported ANEM's project “24/7 SOS Hotline for Assistance to Journalists and Other Threatened Media Workers” within the EU-funded project “Strengthening Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom in Serbia.”